Sellwood Moreland Improvement League

SMILE -- Make A Difference!

Find Out What's Going On

You'll make a difference, if you simply attend a meeting of SMILE! All residents of the neighborhood and owners of businesses in the neighborhood are "members of SMILE", and if you're a member, you should attend, at least occasionally, to find out what's going on in your neighborhood!

The General Meetings are on the first Wednesday of each month, 7:30-9:00 pm, at SMILE Station, 8210 S.E. 13th Street, a block south of Tacoma Street.

Board meetings are on the third Wednesday of each month at SMILE Station, 7:30-9:00 pm, and they are also open to the public.

Write these on your calendar and attend, at least occasionally!

Do Something About It

All members of SMILE (defined above) are eligible to be elected to the Board of your neighborhood association. Elections are at the General Meeting on the first Wednesday evening in the month of May.

There are eight Board positions, with two-year terms--so four positions are up for election each May.

The four additional executive positions--President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary--serve one-year terms, and all four positions are open for election each May.

Service on the Board of SMILE is a great way to be involved in, and to be of service to, your neighborhood!

Other Ways To Make A Difference

There are many other ways you can get involved in specific areas which interest you, and which are appropriate to your available time... Here are a few:

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
This SMILE standing committee has a direct effect on the lifestyle of the neighborhood; your participation matters! You can be on the committee, or simply a volunteer to assist in specific projects. The committee usually meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm at SMILE Station. For information, contact the committee Chairperson, Kevin Downing, at 503/238-4665.

HISTORY COMMITTEE
This committee is dedicated to the identification and preservation of the history of the neighborhood. Among the activities in which the committee is currently involved is an inventory of the historic structures of the neighborhood; volunteers are needed to help with the inventory in the immediate vicinity of their own homes. For information, contact committee Chairperson Eileen Fitzsimons at 503/234-4589.

LAND USE COMMITTEE
Here's another committee with a direct effect on the lifestyle of the neighborhood. The Land Use Committee reviews building permits and oversees SMILE's planning functions. The committee meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:45 pm in the basement of SMILE Station. Attend and participate. Contact Interim committee Chairperson Susan Vanstavern at 503/232-6992. (A new committee Chairperson is needed; call Susan for details.)

OAKS BOTTOM COMMITTEE
Formerly known as the independent "Friends of Oaks Bottom", this group is now a standing committee of SMILE, but is still dedicated to preserving and maintaining the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge at the west side of the neighborhood, beside the Willamette River. For information, contact committee Chairperson Ron Mayer at 503/232-7363.

OAKS PIONEER CHURCH COMMITTEE
This committee is responsible for overseeing the operation of historic Oaks Pioneer Church, administered for the City of Portland by SMILE. Volunteers are always needed to help out; some positions carry an hourly wage. The committee often meets on the third Wednesday of the month at SMILE Station, 6:30 pm; for more information, and for the date of the next committee meeting, contact committee Chairperson Margaret Branson at 503/232-2483.

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS
For many years, SMILE has sponsored the Christmas lighting of the tall fir tree overlooking Oaks Bottom, on the Bybee/13th Street curve. This tree, when lit, can be seen from Interstate Five, and from points for miles around. Volunteers are needed to help during the installation party in December, and also when the lighting is put away at the end of the holidays. For details, contact Chairperson Matt Hainley at 503/222-1811.

EASTER EGG HUNT
For decades, SMILE has presented an egg hunt in Westmoreland Park on Easter Sunday morning. Volunteers are needed to help out during the preparations, for the two days prior to Easter, and on Easter Sunday morning itself. Contact Chairperson Clyde Brummell at 503/233-4841.

NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP
Every spring, SMILE sponsors a neighborhood cleanup weekend--Sellwood-Moreland residents bring their winter yard debris, spring cleaning trash, and recyclables to Westmoreland Park and dump it all for a nominal fee. Volunteers are needed to help out! For details, contact Co-Chairs Kris, Bruce and Brian Heiberg at Heiberg Garbage and Recycling, 503/794-8212.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Each summer, SMILE joins with the City of Portland in presenting a live outdoor summer concert series in the waterfront park just north of the east end of the Sellwood Bridge. Volunteers are always needed to help out. Contact Co-Chairs Lorraine Fyre at 503/231-0019 or Kris Heiberg at 503/238-7038.

SUNDAE IN THE PARK
The neighborhood's premiere family event of the year, since 1980 "Sundae In The Park" has brought together live old-time music, fun and games, exhibits, and as many 25-cent ice cream sundaes as you can eat! It's on the first Sunday afternoon of August, in Sellwood Park, overlooking Oaks Bottom and the Willamette River. Co-Chairs Jan and Bob Paeth welcome your help; contact them at 503/238-6885.

HANGING FLOWER BASKETS
The Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood was one of the first in the city to hang flowering baskets on utility poles in its business district. SMILE shares the cost for the project with adjacent businesses. Volunteers are needed when the baskets are hung at the start of summer, when they are lowered at the end of the season, and especially to help water and maintain the baskets throughout the summer. For information, call Chairperson Nancy Walsh at 503/233-4140.